Actuary Salary in Knoxville, TN: $125,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Knoxville, TN earns a median $125,162/year (≈ $60.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $136,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Knoxville, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $125,162 in 2026, which highlights a notable opportunity within the local job market. With a salary range spanning from $72,594 at the 10th percentile to $194,002 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect the varied experience and specialization levels among practitioners in the area. Insights from regional price parity adjustments indicate that the compensation here is about 6.71% lower than the national median of $134,160. This discrepancy necessitates careful consideration of the exam progression and credential advancement that significantly influences earning potential in the actuarial field.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,594 | $34.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,116 | $43.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,162 | $60.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,208 | $77.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,002 | $93.27 |
Median Salary Position
6.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,408 (2026 est.). At $125,162, the local median is 6.71% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Actuary Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $125,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $123,191 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.71% less |
Actuarys in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $125,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $123,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,162 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,083
2025 BLS Actual
$121,281
2026 Current Est.
$125,162
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,797 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,287 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,281 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,083 (2019) to $121,281 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,084 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,594 – $90,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,116 – $125,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,162 – $160,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,208 – $194,002 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Knoxville
In Knoxville, approximately 35 actuaries are employed, and the local cost-of-living index stands at 91.8, which is below the national average. This means that individuals can stretch their pay further compared to many larger cities. Top employers in the area include life insurance giants like Prudential and MetLife, as well as consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon, which tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for credentialed professionals. Exam progression is a key factor in determining salary, with each completed exam typically resulting in an increase of $3,000 to $8,000. For those looking to maximize their actuarial pay in Knoxville, pursuing Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) credentials can yield significant financial rewards over time, especially in specialized markets like property and casualty insurance or consulting.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,281 for actuariesin the Knoxville metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Knoxville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov